Steelhead Fishing Rod Building Components

Guides and Thread

Fishing rods begin with a blank with components added throughout the building process. Guides come in different sizes for different rods, and styles vary. The tip top is the first guide installed and controls the line as it leaves the rod. Below the tip top, the maker installs several guides along the blank that are either round or snake guides. Round guides are commonly on spin and bait-casting rods and the lowest guide on a fly rod. Snake guides are on fly rods. The guides attach by wrapping thread around the blank and coating the thread with epoxy.

Grip

The grip on a steelhead rod can be several different materials. Cork is the standard and preferred grip for many anglers Cork grips come preformed or custom built by bonding cork rings with glue. Foam grips are on high-quality rods. Some anglers prefer the foam because it is lighter than cork and has a soft feel when handled.

Hook Keeper

Not every rod has a hook keeper but the component is a practical feature on steelhead rods. The hook keeper is a small metal loop attached just above the handle of the rod. It allows anglers to secure hooks while transporting the rod and prevents damage to the grip from embedded hooks.

Reel Seat

The reel seat uses a threaded metal tube to secure the reel to the rod. Reel seats compose the bottom of single-handed rods and attach between the two grips on double-handed rods. The center column of a reel seat is metal, plastic or wood. Makers often use wood for a stylish finish.

Varnish

Varnish and epoxy are not technically components but finish the rod for glossy look. Different colors and thread-wrapping patterns combine to create the look of the rod.